Digital video pixel tester

ABSTRACT

Presented is a system and method for testing a digital video distribution environment. A digital video signal generator transmits a reference video bit stream to a distribution path. A digital video signal analyzer receives a test video bit stream from the distribution path. The digital video signal analyzer generates a diagnostic video bit stream as a function of the reference video bit stream and the test video bit stream.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to digital video distributionand more particularly to testing digital video distribution environmentsfor pixel errors.

Background Art

A digital video distribution environment is a common installation inresidences and commercial buildings. Increasingly, more sophisticatedand expansive digital video distribution environments are employed todistribute digital video. There is now a demand for an improved systemand method for testing such digital video distribution environments.

Prior art FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative digital videodistribution environment 10. The digital video distribution environment10 links four (4) digital video sources 11A-D, such as a Blu-ray player,with eight (8) digital video sinks 15A-H, such as a television. Betweenthe four digital video sources 11A-D and eight digital video sinks 15A-Hare processing components, such as encoders and decoders. Each path froma source to a sink including all intermediary processing components is adistribution path 16. For example, the distribution path 16 between thefirst digital video source 11A and the first digital video sink 15Aincludes the first processing component 12 and the second processingcomponent 13.

Digital video streams comprise a plurality of pixels organized into aplurality of frames. The number of pixels per frame corresponds to theresolution of the digital video. For example, one frame of video at aresolution of 1080 p (i.e. 1920 horizontal pixels×1080 vertical pixels),a common resolution, comprises 2,073,600 pixels. At a frame rate of 60frames per second (fps), ten seconds of digital video at a resolution of1080 p comprises 1,244,160,000 pixels.

Each pixel further comprises color coordinates, which define the colorof the pixel. For example, in the red green blue (RGB) color coordinatesystem, each pixel comprises a red color coordinate, a green colorcoordinate and a blue color coordinate. A full red pixel in the RGBcolor coordinate system with 8 bit color depth comprises a red colorcoordinate of 255, a green color coordinate of zero, and a blue colorcoordinate of zero.

As the complexity of digital video distribution environments 10increases, video issues become increasingly more difficult to diagnoseand correct. Various factors including intermediary processing andinterference may cause visible errors in the displayed video. Thesevisible errors can adversely affect a user's viewing experience and mustbe diagnosed and corrected. One malfunctioning component of a digitalvideo distribution environment 10 can cause video issues with the entiredigital video distribution environment 10, potentially causing consumerdissatisfaction with the other fully functional components.

More specifically, pixel errors are known to those skilled in the art asa factor related to less than optimal viewing experience. A pixel erroris a pixel that has one or more color coordinates altered duringtransmission from the digital video source 11A-D to the digital videosink 15A-H, resulting in discolored pixels displayed by the digitalvideo sink. Pixel errors commonly occur when distributing compressed orencoded digital video or digital video processed with other lossymethods.

Methods and systems for testing a digital video distribution environment10 are known in the prior art. However, due to the precise nature ofdigital video there is currently a trend toward automated diagnosis ofvideo issues. Increasingly, diagnostic data is processed to achieve anobjective score or result, taking human analysis and subjective criteriaout of the equation. In instances where an objective score is notcomputed, the diagnostic results are often provided as a set of datavalues. This is undesirable, as the methodology for objective scores canbe opaque and diagnostic data can be difficult to interpret orunderstand.

Visually displaying pixel errors provides a technician with a diagnostictool for use in the field. The technician may make quick diagnoses ofdisplay issues by recognizing common patterns of pixel errors.Additionally, with a visual display of pixel errors, the installer maymore intuitively relate the diagnoses to untrained clients. Methods andsystems for visually diagnosing pixel errors are known in the prior art.More specifically, methods and systems are known for generating adifferential video including pixels computed from the mathematicaldifferences between a reference video bit stream before and afterprocessing. Accordingly, pixel errors in the differential video aredisplayed according to their magnitude and at their native resolution.

Refer to prior art FIG. 2. As an example of the above prior art methodassume a pixel 211 of the reference video bit stream 21 has a red colorcoordinate of two hundred forty (240), a green color coordinate of onehundred (100) and a blue color coordinate of one hundred (100) beforeprocessing. Next, assume that after passing through the distributionpath 16, the pixel 221 has a red color coordinate of two hundred (200),a green color coordinate of one hundred fifty (150), and a blue colorcoordinate of one hundred fifty (150) after processing. According toknown methods, a differential pixel is displayed having colorcoordinates that are the differences between the pixel color valuesbefore and after processing. Accordingly, a differential video would bedisplayed having a corresponding pixel with red, green and bluecoordinates of fifty (50), forty (40), and forty (40), respectively.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that this method is suitable forlocating pixel errors of a large magnitude or large contiguous clustersof pixel errors. However, pixels errors of a small magnitude may bevisually indistinguishable from pixels without errors. Similarly,individual pixels or small clusters of pixels are difficult to detect.Consequently, there is a need for a system and method of testing digitalvideo to emphasize the location of pixel errors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is to be understood that both the general and detailed descriptionsthat follow are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the invention.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Accordingly, a need exists for an improved system and method of testinga distribution path of a digital video distribution environment forpixel errors. The embodiments of the present invention provide theseadvantages and others not specifically mentioned above but described inthe sections to follow.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a method fortesting a distribution path of a digital video distribution environment.The method comprises the steps of: transmitting a reference video bitstream comprising N reference pixels from a digital video signalgenerator to the distribution path; receiving a test video bit streamcomprising N test pixels, from the distribution path at a digital videosignal analyzer; and generating a diagnostic video bit stream comprisingN diagnostic pixels, each of the N diagnostic pixels corresponding toone of the N reference pixels and one of the N test pixels, by assigninga first color to each diagnostic pixel whose corresponding test pixeland reference pixel match and assigning a second color to eachdiagnostic pixel whose corresponding reference pixel and test pixel donot match.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a systemfor testing a distribution path of a digital video distributionenvironment. The system comprises a digital video signal generator and adigital video signal analyzer. The digital signal generator is fortransmitting a reference video bit stream comprising N reference pixelsto the distribution path. The digital video signal analyzer is forreceiving a test video bit stream comprising N test pixels from thedistribution path and generating a diagnostic video bit streamcomprising N diagnostic pixels, each of the N diagnostic pixelscorresponding to one of the N test pixels and one of the N referencepixels. The digital video signal analyzer generates the diagnostic videobit stream by assigning a first color to diagnostic pixels whosecorresponding test pixel and reference pixel match and assigning asecond color to diagnostic pixels whose corresponding test pixel andreference pixel do not match.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures further illustrate the present invention.

The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale,emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principlesof the present invention. In the drawings, like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing

Prior art FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative digital videodistribution environment for distributing digital video.

Prior art FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a prior art method fortesting a distribution path of a digital video distribution environment.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative block diagram of a system for testing adistribution path of a digital video distribution environment, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustrative flowchart for a method of testing adistribution path of a digital video distribution environment, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the inventive method for testinga distribution path of a digital video distribution environment,according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 is an illustrative flowchart for a method of testing adistribution path of a digital video distribution environment, accordingto an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a touch screen displaying a diagnostic video bit stream at anative resolution.

FIG. 8 is a touch screen displaying the diagnostic video bit stream at afirst resolution.

FIG. 9 is a touch screen displaying the diagnostic video bit stream at asecond resolution.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS FOR THE MAJOR ELEMENTS IN THE DRAWING

The following is a list of the major elements in the drawings innumerical order.

-   -   10 digital video distribution environment    -   11A-D digital video source(s)    -   12 first processing component    -   13 second processing component    -   15A-H digital video sink(s)    -   16 distribution path    -   21 video bit stream before processing    -   22 video bit stream after processing    -   23 differential video bit stream    -   31 digital video signal generator    -   32 digital video signal analyzer    -   33 video display    -   41 (step of) transmitting a reference video bit stream    -   42 (step of) receiving a test video bit stream    -   43 (step of) comparing test pixel with reference pixel    -   44 (condition of) reference pixel matching test pixel    -   45 (step of) assigning a first color    -   46 (step of) assigning a second color    -   64 (condition of) reference pixel matching test pixel within        threshold pixel    -   70 touch screen    -   71 diagnostic video bit stream at a native resolution    -   72 pixel error at native resolution    -   81 diagnostic video bit stream at a first resolution    -   82 pixel error    -   91 diagnostic video bit stream at a second resolution    -   92 navigational arrow    -   211 pixel before processing    -   221 pixel after processing    -   231 differential pixel    -   311 reference video bit stream    -   312 reference information    -   313 test video bit stream    -   314 threshold pixel    -   315 diagnostic video bit stream    -   511 first reference pixel    -   512 second reference pixel    -   513 first test pixel    -   514 second test pixel    -   515 first diagnostic pixel    -   516 second diagnostic pixel

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated inthe drawings, and specific language will be used herein to describe thesame. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scopeof the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and furthermodifications of the inventive features illustrated herein, andadditional applications of the principles of the inventions asillustrated herein, which would occur to one skilled in the relevant artand having possession of the disclosure, are to be considered within thescope of the invention.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words ‘comprise’, ‘comprising’, and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of“including, but not limited to”.

Mode(s) For Carrying Out The Invention

The present invention involves systems and methods for testing adistribution path of a digital video distribution environment 10, suchas the one shown in Prior art FIG. 1. More specifically, the presentinvention provides a system and method for detecting and emphasizing thepresence and location of individual pixel errors.

FIG. 3 is an illustrative block diagram of a system for testing adistribution path of a digital video distribution environment, such asthe distribution path 16 shown in prior art FIG. 1. The system comprisesa digital video signal generator 31 and a digital video signal analyzer32. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the digital video signalgenerator 31 and the digital video signal analyzer 32 are eachimplemented as field programmable gate arrays (FPGA). In a furtherembodiment of the invention the digital video signal generator 31 andthe digital video signal analyzer 32 are contained in the same housing.In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the system furthercomprises a video display 33. Advantageously, the video display 33 canbe one the digital video sinks 15A-H of the digital video distributionenvironment 10 or a touch screen.

Refer to FIG. 4, which shows a flowchart for a method of testing adistribution path 16 of a digital video distribution environment 10. Thedigital video signal generator 31 transmits a reference video bit stream311 at a native resolution, such as 1080 p, to the distribution path 16(step 41).

The reference video bit stream 311 further comprises N reference pixelswhere each of the N reference pixels further comprises color coordinateswhich define the pixel color. Those skilled in the art will recognizethat N may be any whole number greater than zero. For example, a bitstream of ten (10) seconds of reference video at a native resolution of1080 p comprises 1,244,160,000 reference pixels.

In addition to transmitting the reference video bit stream 311 to thedistribution path 16, the digital video signal generator 31 alsotransmits reference information 312 to the digital video signal analyzer32. The reference information 312 comprises synchronization information,clock information, and identification information for the referencevideo bit stream 311.

The digital video signal analyzer 32 receives a test video bit stream313 from the distribution path 16 (step 42). The test video bit stream313 which results from the reference video bit stream 311 passingthrough the distribution path 16 includes all processing errors and thelike. Just as with the reference video bit stream 311, the test videobit stream 313 is at the native resolution and comprises N test pixels.Each of the N test pixels corresponds to one of the N reference pixelsand further comprises color coordinates, which define the pixel color.

The digital video signal analyzer 32 locally generates the referencevideo bit stream 311 based on the reference information 312 receivedfrom the digital video signal generator 31. Using the reference videobit stream 311, the digital video signal analyzer 32 generates adiagnostic video bit stream 315 as a function of the N test pixels andthe N reference pixels. The diagnostic video bit stream 315 is at thenative resolution and comprises N diagnostic pixels. Each of the Ndiagnostic pixels corresponds to one of the N reference pixels and oneof the N test pixels and further comprises color coordinates.

The digital video signal analyzer 32 generates the diagnostic video bitstream 315 by comparing each test pixel with its corresponding referencepixel (step 43) and assigning either a first color (step 45), such asfull black, or a second color (step 46), such as full red, to each ofthe N diagnostic pixels. The digital video signal analyzer 32 assignscolor coordinates defining a first color to each diagnostic pixel whosecorresponding reference pixel and corresponding test pixel match(condition 44). The digital video signal analyzer 32 assigns colorcoordinates defining a second color to each diagnostic pixel whosecorresponding reference pixel and corresponding test pixel do not match.A test pixel and a reference pixel match if they have the same colorcoordinates.

Refer to FIG. 5. As an example of the above method assume the digitalsignal generator 31 transmits a reference video bit stream 311 in theRGB color coordinate system including a first reference pixel 511 and asecond reference pixel 512 each having a red color coordinate of twohundred forty (240), a green color coordinate of one hundred (100), anda blue color coordinate of two hundred (200). Also assume that thedigital video signal analyzer 32 receives a first test pixel 513corresponding to the first reference pixel 511 having a red colorcoordinate of two hundred forty (240), a green color coordinate of onehundred (100) and a blue color coordinate of two hundred (200). Finally,assume that the digital video signal analyzer 32 receives a second testpixel 514 corresponding to the second reference pixel 512 having a redcolor coordinate of two hundred (200), a green color coordinate of onehundred fifty (150) and a blue color coordinate of two hundred (200).

The first reference pixel 511 and the first test pixel 513 have the samecolor coordinates and therefore match. Accordingly, the digital videosignal analyzer 32 assigns a first diagnostic pixel 515 the first color,such as full black (i.e. red color coordinate, green color coordinateand blue color coordinate of zero). Accordingly, the second referencepixel 512 and the second test pixel 514 do not have the same colorcoordinates and therefore do not match. The digital video signalanalyzer 32 assigns a second diagnostic pixel 516 the second color, suchas full red (i.e. red color coordinate of 255, green color coordinateand blue color coordinate of zero).

Advantageously, pixel errors are displayed in a contrasting color frompixels without error regardless of the magnitude of the pixel error.This allows for minor pixel errors to be displayed in a noticeablemanner. In one embodiment of the invention, the first color and secondcolor have default values of full black and full red, respectively. Inanother embodiment, the first color and the second color are selectedaccording to individual technicians' preferences. For example, whentesting a distribution path 16 that includes lossy processes, the firstcolor and the second color may be selected to emphasize the location ofpixels without pixel error.

In an embodiment of the invention the digital video signal analyzer 32compares the N test pixels with the N reference pixels in light of athreshold pixel 314. The threshold pixel 314 comprises color coordinatesand is a quantitative measure of tolerance for pixel error. Thethreshold pixel 314 may be dependent on a host of factors such astolerance of individual users or characteristics of the distributionpath 16.

In an embodiment of the invention, the digital video signal analyzer 32receives the color coordinates of the threshold pixel 314 from thetechnician. In another embodiment, the digital video signal analyzer 32retrieves the color coordinates of the threshold pixel 314 from a localmemory. For example, the color coordinates 314 of the threshold pixel314 may be stored in the local memory as a factory default or afterprior use.

Refer to FIG. 6. In embodiments of the invention, the digital videosignal analyzer 32 assigns the first color (step 45) to each diagnosticpixel whose corresponding reference pixel and corresponding test pixelmatch within the threshold pixel 314 (condition 64). The digital videosignal analyzer 32 assigns the second color (step 46) to each diagnosticpixel whose corresponding reference pixel and corresponding test pixeldo not match within the threshold pixel 314.

A test pixel and a reference pixel match within the threshold pixel 314if the absolute differences between their color coordinates are lessthan or equal to the color coordinates of the threshold pixel 314. Testpixels and reference pixels do not match within the threshold pixel 314if one or more of the absolute differences between their colorcoordinates are greater than the color coordinates of the thresholdpixel 314. Those skilled in the art will recognize that in otherembodiments, a test pixel and a reference pixel do not match within thethreshold pixel 314 if one or more of the absolute differences betweentheir color coordinates is equal to the threshold pixel 314.

Continuing with the example from FIG. 5, assume the digital video signalanalyzer 32 compares the second test pixel 514 and second referencepixel 512 in light of a threshold pixel 314 having a red colorcoordinate of seventy (70), a green color coordinate of fifty-five (55)and a blue color coordinate of seventy (70). The absolute differencebetween the red color coordinate of the first reference pixel 511 andthe red color coordinate of the first test pixel 513 is forty (40) whichis less than the red color coordinate of the threshold pixel 314. Theabsolute difference between the green color coordinate of the firstreference pixel 511 and the green color coordinate of the first testpixel 513 is fifty (50) which is less than the green color coordinate ofthe threshold pixel 314. The absolute difference between the blue colorcoordinate of the first reference pixel 511 and the blue colorcoordinate of the first test pixel 513 is fifty (50) which is less thanthe blue color coordinate of the threshold pixel 314. Although the colorcoordinates of the second reference pixel 512 and second test pixel 514do not match, their absolute differences are less than the colorcoordinates of the threshold pixel 314. Accordingly, the reference pixeland the test pixel match within the threshold pixel 314 and the digitalvideo signal analyzer assigns the second diagnostic pixel 516 the firstcolor.

To further emphasize the location of pixel errors, embodiments of theinvention further comprise a video display 33 configured for displayingthe diagnostic video bit stream 315 at a plurality of resolutions. Atechnician may select a resolution from the plurality of resolutions andthe video display 33 displays the diagnostic video bit stream 315 at theselected resolution. Advantageously, this allows the technician tolocate single pixel errors or small clusters of pixel errors that maynot be distinguishable with the human eye.

FIG. 7 shows a touch screen 70 displaying the diagnostic video bitstream 315 at the native resolution 71, according to one embodiment ofthe invention. In this embodiment, pixels without pixel error aredisplayed on the touch screen 70 as full white and pixel errors 72 aredisplayed on the touch screen 70 as full black.

FIG. 8 shows a touch screen 70 displaying the diagnostic video bitstream 315 at a first resolution 81. The diagnostic video bit stream 315is downscaled to resolutions lower than the native resolution, such asthe first resolution, by converting contiguous groups of pixels at thenative resolution into a single pixel at the lower resolution. Eachpixel 82 at the first resolution converted from a group of pixels at thenative resolution comprising no pixel errors is assigned the first colorby the digital video signal analyzer. Each pixel 83 at the firstresolution converted from a group of pixels at the native resolutioncomprising one or more pixel errors is assigned the second color by thedigital video signal analyzer.

FIG. 9 shows the touch screen 70 displaying the diagnostic video bitstream 315 at a second resolution 91. The diagnostic video bit stream315 is upscaled to resolutions higher than the native resolution, suchas the second resolution, by centering the diagnostic video bit stream315 to a portion with the same aspect ratio of the native resolution andinterpolating to the native resolution. The upscaled portion isdisplayed on the video display 33 as a scrollable portion of thediagnostic video. The technician can center to a new portion, such as byselecting a navigational arrow 92.

In an embodiment of the invention, the technician may select from aplurality of resolutions progressively lower and progressively higherthan the native resolution. Advantageously, this allows the technicianto initially view the diagnostic video bit stream 315 broadly from a lowresolution to detect the existence of pixel errors and make a quickdiagnosis. The technician may then progressively refine the resolutionas needed to make more detailed observations.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

To solve the aforementioned problems, the present invention is a uniquesystem in which a distribution path 16 of a digital video distributionenvironment is tested and a diagnostic video bit stream 315 isgenerated.

LIST OF ACRONYMS USED IN THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following is a list of the acronyms used in the specification inalphabetical order.

-   -   FPGA field programmable gate array    -   FPS frames per second    -   PRN pseudo-random noise    -   RGB red green blue

ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS

Alternate embodiments may be devised without departing from the spiritor the scope of the invention. For example, the digital video signalanalyzer 32 may receive the threshold pixel 314 from the digital videosignal generator 31.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for testing a distribution path of adigital video distribution environment, said method comprising the stepsof: (a) comparing a reference video bit stream comprising N referencepixels with a test video bit stream comprising N test pixels at adigital signal analyzer; (b) generating a diagnostic video bit streamcomprising N diagnostic pixels, each of said N diagnostic pixelscorresponding to one of said N reference pixels and one of said N testpixels, by (i) assigning a first color to each diagnostic pixel of saidN diagnostic pixels whose corresponding one of said N reference pixelsand corresponding one of said N test pixels match, and (ii) assigning asecond color to each diagnostic pixel of said N diagnostic pixels whosecorresponding one of said N reference pixels and corresponding one ofsaid N test pixels do not match; (c) receiving a selection of a firstresolution different from an originally presented resolution for adiagnostic purpose, wherein the diagnostic purpose is to either focus ona specific area of the diagnostic video and the first resolution isgreater than the originally presented resolution or the diagnosticpurpose is to view large trends of the diagnostic video and the firstresolution is less than the originally presented resolution.
 2. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the diagnostic video bit stream is generatedby: (a) assigning the first color to each diagnostic pixel of said Ndiagnostic pixels whose corresponding one of said N reference pixels andcorresponding one of said N test pixels match within a threshold pixel;and (b) assigning the second color to each diagnostic pixel of said Ndiagnostic pixels whose corresponding one of said N reference pixels andcorresponding one of said N test pixels do not match within thethreshold pixel.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein the threshold pixel isuser defined.
 4. The method of claim 2 wherein the threshold pixel isdependent on characteristics of the distribution path.
 5. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the first color and the second color are defined by theuser.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the first resolution is greaterthan the originally presented resolution and the diagnostic video isdisplayed at the first resolution as a scrollable portion of thediagnostic video.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first resolutionis less than the originally presented resolution and the diagnosticvideo is displayed at the first resolution by converting contiguousgroups of pixels at the native resolution into a single pixel at thelower resolution and wherein contiguous groups of pixels not comprisinga non-matching pixel are assigned the first color and contiguous groupsof pixels comprising a non-matching pixel are assigned the second color.8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of (a) displayingthe diagnostic video bit stream at the first resolution; and (b)displaying the diagnostic video bit stream at a series of one or moreresolutions, each of the one or more resolutions being progressivelygreater than the first resolution.
 9. The method of claim 1 furthercomprising the steps of (a) displaying the diagnostic video bit streamat the first resolution; and (b) displaying the diagnostic video bitstream at a series of one or more resolutions, each of the one or moreresolutions being progressively lower than the first resolution.